Taipei City Government

The ceremony celebrating the start of refurbishment for Mingshan Hall (Historical Building Dihua Street Section 1 No. 308) took place on May 24. The event formally declares that the historical structure will receive a new life while serving as a witness to the history of religious development in Dadaocheng. 

Dadaocheng has always been a major trade hub for Taipei City. Its bustling commerce can be seen from numerous century-old stores in the neighborhood, as well as over hundreds of cultural assets – making it the district with the highest density of such monuments in Taipei City. 

Unlike historical buildings that were used as shops and stores, Mingshan Hall is one of the few places within Dadaocheng which utilized a store structure as religious space. Located in the northern part of the neighborhood, the edifice was constructed near the end of Qing Dynasty. The building was pronounced historical building on May 8, 2012. 

Originally used as a store, the building was repurposed as a religious space during the Japanese Colonial Era. As late as the 1960s, storytellers would frequent the establishment to conduct “recounting of old tales” activities (speeches that seeks to motivate listeners to do good deeds). The facility played a role in establishing positive social interaction among residents of the neighborhood, earning it the nickname of “Hall of Do Good Deeds”. 

Unfortunately, due to changing time, the role of the facility in convincing people to do good deeds faded after the 1960s. It became a temple that worship deities of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Currently, the refurbishment of the building is being carried out by the property owners to restore the structure’s original appearance. The cost of the project is roughly NT$14 million and is slated for completion in 2025. 

Upon completion, the renovated building will have a special space dedicated to the exhibition of cultural relics on the first floor, allowing visitors to learn more about Dadaocheng’s diversified folk religion.